Application Software

BCA developes applications and databases on various platforms, including Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.

Evaluating Business Solutions

Automation of various business functions has data integrity, time, and cost advantages. When considering automation of business functions, it makes a lot of sense to use the opportunity to review your current practices. It is important to avoid simply codifying inefficient or legacy manual methods into a new software system.

There are a number of off-the-shelf systems that can be used in a variety of situations to provide an inexpensive solution. If you find that your application is unique enough that it does not easily conform to these general software solutions, you can look to BCA to create a custom solution for you. Our software will allow you to take advantage of your company’s unique business practices. Our documentation and process ensure that it will be practical, maintainable, and reliable.

Business Solution Development

When developing business solutions, we develop applications that may run stand-alone or as a component of a larger system with a Web element and/or other peripherals. Sometimes these applications also connect to other back office applications specific to the business or industry for data exchange purposes.

We find that our customers often want to continue to use existing software for a significant portion of their work flow but would like software created to simplify the remaining portion of their operations. For those situations, BCA can analyze your present systems and determine how to interconnect with those that you wish to continue using.

We have experience helping customers establish clear concise business rules which direct the definition of the applications operation. Most of these systems require varying levels of access depending on the operator who is logged in. These programs may also be for a wide distribution or sale. If so, we can create the application so that the same program can be “customizable” once installed using the install script we have created for you.

Many of these applications make use of databases such as mySQL or MS SQL to store data. Typically we develop in C#, C++, or Visual Basic. As with all software, it isn’t done until it is tested in the “customer configuration”. This includes running on the anticipated operating systems, which it will run on with real customer data. Usually auditing features will be included in the requirements to assist in accurately defining any anomalies found in testing. Finally, you can expect us to create a staging plan that will minimize risk when transitioning to your new system.

Real-Time PC Applications

Often PC applications are used in monitoring and/or control situations in conjunction with various sensing or actuating devices. These devices may be based on off-the-shelf or custom electronics.

There is a wide range of options for utilizing real-time PC applications. For example, sensing the movement of objects in a laboratory system, the changing of various conditions in a particular environment, the measurement of the parameters of particular objects, monitoring of a manufacturing process, or the control of a still or movie camera. For these situations, many such systems will include a PC application to provide a standard user interface as well as for database capabilities. Typically the PC is connected to the larger system via USB, Ethernet, or serial port.

Additional Applications

In projects where hardware and embedded software are developed in parallel, BCA often uses a PC simulator as a tool to simplify and speed development.

In addition to the languages mentioned above, BCA also has experience using National Instruments Labview and Test Stand to provide a framework for manufacturing test systems.